Pat Riley says Heat could have won 6 championships if LeBron never left

Talking with Udonis Haslem and Mike Miller on "The OGs Show" this week, Miami Heat legend Pat Riley expressed dissatisfaction with the organization's inability to maintain the trio of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.

Miami boasted an exceptional roster featuring their Big 3 throughout the 2010s. The franchise consistently reached the Eastern Conference Finals for four seasons and secured two NBA championships. Nevertheless, the team disbanded after four years when James decided to depart and rejoin the Cleveland Cavaliers. Riley expressed his desire to maintain the core group, but they had to move forward without James following his exit. During a podcast, the Heat's team president shared his reflections on the conclusion of the Big 3 era.

"It didn't upset me, but it hurt that we couldn't keep that team together because I think it was a five or six championship team," Riley said. "If we could have kept them all together and stay healthy from that standpoint.

Although James departed, he contributed two additional championships to the team. The era of the Big 3 concluded after their defeat in the 2014 NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs. LeBron chose to forgo a contract extension, thereby leaving the Heat organization to rejoin the Cleveland Cavaliers.

During his tenure with the Cavaliers, James guided the team to four consecutive Finals appearances, mirroring his achievements with the Heat. However, his second stint in Cleveland did not match the success he experienced in Miami, as the franchise secured only one championship in 2016 out of those four Finals.

Meanwhile, Wade remained with the Heat until the conclusion of the 2015-16 season. In the summer of 2016, he signed a two-year contract worth $47 million with the Chicago Bulls. Nevertheless, his time in his hometown was short-lived, as he and the Bulls reached a buyout agreement in the summer of 2017.

Wade ultimately reunited with his former teammate James by signing with the Cavaliers. Regrettably, the shooting guard was traded to the Heat during the season, resulting in a brief reunion.

In contrast, Bosh continued with the Heat for the rest of his career. After his final season alongside James, the forward enjoyed two additional seasons as an All-Star. However, he was sidelined for the 2016-17 season due to complications from blood clots. Due to these health challenges, he was compelled to retire in February 2019 after several unsuccessful attempts to return to the game.

The discussion underscores Riley's crucial influence in the development of contemporary basketball culture, stressing that effective team dynamics depend on strategic leadership and the meticulous selection of talent.